Four weeks ago we started a loft conversion for Kerri and Martin at their house in North Camp, Farnborough. Kerri and Martin’s young children use to share one bedroom but due to a growing family, they decided to convert their loft to gain that extra bedroom. Kerri and Martin agreed that they would move up into the loft as the space in the converted attic will be bigger than their existing master bedroom on the 1st floor. We built their loft conversion on time and within our fixed price that was agreed at the planning stage. We completed a rear dormer loft conversion and designed the stairs to flow over the existing (stairs over stairs) to make the conversion feel like part of the existing property.

Although they lived at home throughout the duration of the build, they enjoyed watching the development take place and we are sure Martin and Kerri are both over the moon with their new third floor now that they know the project is finished. After four hard weeks of working, we are proud to say we have finish and glad that our customers are happy.

Want to see photos of this project or know more about others? Keep on visiting our Blog!

	They came to the Marble Construction offices to give us some constructive tips about how to use Social Networking sites more efficiently, how to be more engaging with our customers and how to show off our work in a fun and informal way. Although we can’t promise anything, we assure you that they know lots of useful secrets about how social media can help us grow our business online, and also lots about how to risk your life by driving around the UK in a clapped out, old camper van, but that’s another story…		Social Bizzle trying their new "hizzle"

Here you have the results!

Not enough? Have a look at their Facebook page, and follow them on their UK tour!

£1,000 of Home Improvements

Competition

Are you bored of your old kitchen door fronts? Fancy some new natural stone paving in your garden or maybe a brick built BBQ to show off to your friends and family this summer?

Marble Construction Ltd. Loft Conversion in Berrylands, Surbinton, Surrey.

Whatever you desire, Marble Construction will provide: We are giving away £1,000 worth of Home Improvements to one of the next 500 people who like our Facebook Page!

To enter you must:

• Like our facebook page

• Click the competition link on the left

• Fill out your details in the competition form.

So…

if you want to start 2012 with a fresh new home improvement for FREE, go to our page and like us! And don’t forget to share with your friends to speed up the draw date!

You have a 1 in 500 chance of winning so…

Good luck!

Finished home spa in Farnborough

Different features for personal spa rooms include jets, whirlpools, towel racks or even a sauna instillations and the best thing of all is that usually no planning permission is required.

For authenticity, many choose a pine construction out-house as it is not only a lower cost, but also resistant to damp and water damage. However a hot tub can be fitted nearly anywhere, from in the garden to in the existing property.

This Marble customer in Farnborough wanted a place where the kids could have friends round but would also double up as a relaxing space for themselves as well,  the customer assured us the hot tub is a big hit with all generations.

There are more than three million hot tubs in homes in the UK, so to join the list of relaxing Brits, contact us or call us at 0844 813 1111 for a free survey and quote.

The hot tub ready and waiting for its owners. Farnborough.

Double storey extension in North Camp (Farnborough)

Morris Road in North Camp is a 5 minute walk to both the train station and the High Street. Coupled with the slow housing market, Richard and Emma Howden chose to extend their current home rather than move.

The time period set for the on-site construction of the extension was 8 weeks. Understanding the challenge for home-owners in having their routine disrupted by building work, Marble Construction can arrange to work hours more suitable to the customer.

Within this 8 week period, the extension was finished on budget, on time and to specification despite British January weather. This included the groundwork, foundation laying, piping, brickwork, flooring, fitting, roofing, insulation and decoration. A job like this would take most construction companies 10 weeks, especially in Winter.

Photograph taken during the roofing process of the double storey extension in North Camp (Farnborough).

Kitchen extended by a double storey extension in North Camp (Farnborough).

Emma and Richard were delighted with the quality and excited about their first summer in their extended home, describing the work as “fantastic” and being of “great quality.”

The lustrous white kitchen with chrome features creates a large bright space which is modern yet ageless, practical yet beautiful with features such as curved doorways, In-built units and Velux roof windows which allow even north facing garden properties to enjoy natural light through out the day.
To see what more you can get out of your property, call Marble Construction for a free survey and consultation on 0844 813 1111 or email sales@marbleconstruction.co.uk.

Not all problems will be this obvious!

The amount of upkeep a house requires depends on a multitude of factors such as it’s location, age, quality of construction and materials used.

It is not uncommon for flat felt roofs to need work doing with ten years of work being undertaken, or for Slate roofs to last over a hundred years.

Using a  high quality construction company who use high quality materials like Marble is a longterm investment as it reduces the cost and effort of maintaining the property.

Maintenance of a house does not have to be a stressful occurrence if problems are spotted and dealt with when they arise as to letting them accumulate and worsen. A poorly maintained property is obvious from the outside as well and can even knock money off it’s value.

Here are some tips for things to check to ensure your home is in good condition:

• Check for missing tiles, cracks, leaky flashing and blocked gutters on top of roofs and look inside attic spaces for damp, animals nesting and leaks.
• Chimneys should also be checked for damp, and flashing problems, if active check that the chimney is not becoming blocked.
• Examine brickwork for cracking bricks and crumbling flashing. If left alone this can become a serious problem. Long vertical cracks can suggest subsidence. On low level brickwork check for damp.
• Peeling paint on woodwork can expose it to rot and decay, re-paint or varnish woodwork and fences every three or four years.
• Lift drain covers on your property and check that there are no blockages. A good way of testing is to pour food dyes down sinks and toilets and watch for the dye to pass under the uncovered drain.

Note: Never undertake any work or inspections that you are unsure of or may be above your ability. Consult Marble Construction for a free surveying of your property.

	GE Money are experts in providing loans for home improvement in the UK		Not only will high quality work increase the price, it can also increase interest in the property, decrease the amount of time it takes to find a buyer and encourage offers closer to the asking price.

By surveying 110 estate agents, Mortgage lender GE Money came up with the following top 10 ways of adding value to a property:

Installation of underfloor heating in Farnborough, Hampshire.

10. Eco home improvements may not be the biggest way to add value, but reduced gas and electricity bills are always very popular with buyers. Marble Construction offer a wide range of energy saving devices from solar panels to specialist insulating panels in extensions to under-floor heating.

9. Garden patios and deckings come in with an average 2% increase to the property’s value. However a wonky slabs or cracked concrete is unlikely to entice anybody, Marble has much experience in building high quality out door living spaces.

8. Driveways add an extra 2.2% to the value of the property. Marble offers a wide range of different surfaces and styles to ensure it will match the property.

7. Redecorating can add 2.6% if done in the right way, choose neutral colors and fittings as opposed to bold features or dark paints.

Bathroom renovation in Kingston Upon Thames.

6. For an extra 2.8% add a new bathroom or renovate an existing one.

5. Central Heating will add 3.4% to the value of a property if not already installed.

4. A new and possibly even extended kitchen increases the selling price by 4.6% on average.

3. A conservatory adds an average of 6% but keep in mind that if additions to a property are not in keeping with the existing design it could remove value from a house. Marble can suggest designs which are likely to compliment the property’s existing aesthetics.

2. A well built extension is always popular and increases a property’s price by an average of 11%. Marble can build any type or style and are experts in planning permission and design, making sure that the project is as cost effective as possible and always achieves a very high standard of work.

1. Loft conversions come in at poll position adding a whopping average of 12.5% to a property’s selling price, but only if it meets building and fire regulations. Click here for an example of Marble’s high quality loft conversions.

Rear dormer - loft conversion and full refurbishment in Wimbledon, London (Before and After)

This is typical of the high standard of work produced by Marble Construction. The Dormer is offset from both party walls and end walls for aesthetics whilst the individualized design of the dormer maximizes the ceiling height and useable floor space.

Lounge area in a fully refurbished flat in Wimbledon, London. (Before and After)

We are more than a construction company, our attention to detail goes all the way to the interior design and fixtures. In this room of the refurbishment the Dark hardwood flooring’s contrast against the bright walls is accented by soft up-facing and spot lighting.

First floor landing area in a fully refurbished flat in Wimbledon, London. (Before and After)

A concern for a lot of people considering a loft conversion is where the stairs would go, especially in a small landing area. In this photograph we can see how our architects carefully considered how best to use the space available for access to the newly created rooms in the attic.

Old and new kitchen in a fully refurbished flat in Wimbledon, London. (Before and After)

The kitchen is commonly referred to as the heart of a home. Here you can see how this ran-down space has been transformed into a modern and practical kitchen which uses the same dark wood and white surface combination as the rest of the flat to give a very stylish impression.

“Jamie will now move onto different roles within the company” says Darren Maunders, Operations Director. “He will start to complete small projects that he is confidant with on his own. After working closely with Jamie for the last two years, he knows the quality we expect and how to look after our customers when working in their home.”

Pippa O’Gorman, Director of the Business Services Department at Farnborough College of Technology said “Employing an apprentice has been shown to improve the workforce in skills and productivity within the business however, to gain these benefits it takes commitment, time and a huge investment from the employer. As an employer who is continuously running the apprenticeship program, I would just like to send my personal gratitude for your support in young people. We are very proud of the apprenticeship programme the college runs in partnership with local businesses and employers. We hope you help share this pride by displaying your certificate and helping spread the word about helping young people.

This certificate recognises Marble Construction for their commitment and support to the training and skills development of staff who have successfully completed an apprenticeship, Christine Slaymaker. Principal, FCOT.